Top 12 Children's Hospitals in the U.S.

June 5, 2012 -- U.S. News & World Report is out with its annual list of the best children's hospitals in the nation, both overall and by specialty.

First up for its 2012-2013 rankings is what the magazine deems its "Honor Roll" -- those hospitals that excel in the specialized treatment of three or more serious, often life-threatening illnesses or conditions such as cancer, heart problems, kidney problems, and others. Here are the 12 hospitals in the U.S. that do the best job.

1. Boston Children's Hospital (tie)

1. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (tie)

3. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

4. Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)

5. Children's Hospital Los Angeles

6. Seattle Children's Hospital

7. Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

8. Children's Hospital Colorado (Aurora) (tie)

8. Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, Ohio) (tie)

10. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC (tie)

10. John's Hopkins Children's Center (Baltimore, Md.) (tie)

10. St. Louis Children's Hospital -- Washington University (tie)

Ranking by Specialty

The survey also ranks hospitals by their ability to treat particular illnesses or conditions. Here are the top three hospitals for each of the specialties covered, as well as the criteria for inclusion.

Based on factors such as five-year survival rates, transplant accreditation, and overall infection prevention, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric cancer specialists collected in 2010-2012.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Dana-Farber Cancer Center / Boston Children's Hospital

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Cardiology and Heart Surgery

Based on factors such as clinical research, surgical survival, and the ability to prevent bloodstream infections, as well as the opinions of 450 pediatric cardiologists and heart surgeons collected in 2010-2012.